Mitsubishi Outlander CW (2005–2012)

From Airtrek-based crossover to seven-seat SUV

The CW replaced a smaller, lower car. The first Outlander was a lower, lighter crossover with petrol engines only; its successor grew into a family SUV, and the Japanese Airtrek name was dropped in favour of Outlander when the new model arrived there in October 2005.

Three changes mattered most to European buyers. First, diesel engines, which the CU never offered. Second, a third row of two occasional seats that folded into the boot floor. Third, a wider choice of gearboxes, including a CVT for the petrol engines and, later, a dual-clutch unit for the diesel.

The North American version was previewed with a V6 at the New York show in April 2006 and reached dealers that October. For the full family tree, including the GF and GN that followed, see the overview of every Outlander generation.

Platform, plants and the Peugeot 4007 and Citroën C-Crosser

The CW sits on Mitsubishi's GS platform, an architecture that also served Jeep, Chrysler-group and PSA models of the period. Auto Express notes that the later Outlander's underpinnings still trace their roots to this Mk2 car.

Production started at the Nagoya plant at Okazaki in Japan. Sources agree that European Outlanders later moved to NedCar in Born, the Netherlands, but they differ on the year: English-language references say 2008, while German ones link the move to the 2010 facelift.

The PSA twins

PSA Peugeot Citroën needed a mid-size 4x4 quickly, so it bought one from Mitsubishi. The Peugeot 4007 and Citroën C-Crosser were shown at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2007 and launched in July 2007. They used their own front ends and badges but kept the Outlander's body, cabin layout and up to seven seats.

The twins sold modestly. Peugeot planned 30,000 cars a year, yet its own annual sales peaked at 13,700 in 2008. Citroën replaced the C-Crosser with the C4 Aircross, while Peugeot moved to the 4008.

European engines: VW, PSA and Mitsubishi diesels

Europe received two petrol engines and three successive diesels; the V6 stayed in other markets. Outputs are given in kW first, followed by the PS figure the European sources quote.

German data quotes the 2.0 MIVEC at 10.8 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h and 190 km/h (118 mph). For the VW-engined diesel, a UK spec aggregator lists 10.8 seconds, 116 mph (187 km/h) and 42.2 mpg UK combined, which is about 6.7 L/100 km.

Mitsubishi had no suitable diesel of its own in 2007, so it borrowed the Volkswagen pump-injector engine, then switched to the PSA common-rail unit used in the Peugeot and Citroën twins. Only in autumn 2010 did its own 4N14 arrive, sold in some markets as a 2.2 DI-D even though it displaces 2.3 litres; German sources also mention a front-drive "ClearTec" version.

All-wheel-drive versions use AWC (All Wheel Control), an electronically controlled system; the mechanically identical PSA twins list 2WD, 4WD and Lock settings. After the 2010 facelift the top trims gained S-AWC (Super All Wheel Control). The INVECS-III CVT on the 2.4 petrol simulates six fixed ratios.

Dimensions and cabin

The CW is about 100 mm longer and 100 mm taller than the CU, and its wheelbase of 2,670 mm carried over unchanged to the GF. Length figures vary between sources and model years, so the table shows a range.

Early international data also lists a length of 4,765 mm (187.6 in), which applies to other markets; treat it with caution. The Citroën C-Crosser is quoted at 4,645 mm (182.9 in) long and 1,750 kg (3,858 lb).

The third row suits children on short trips. Descriptions of the C-Crosser mention a sliding second row split 60:40, with the two rearmost seats folding under the floor, an arrangement shared with the Mitsubishi.

Crash tests of the CW

The CW was tested in Europe, Australia and the United States, and each test applies only to this generation and the year shown.

In the Euro NCAP frontal test the body and restraints worked well, but the driver's thighs could hit hard structures under the dashboard. The car scored full marks in the side and pole impacts. Weak points were the front edge of the bonnet in the pedestrian tests and the poorly signalled passenger-airbag switch. Results from 2007 should not be compared with modern five-star ratings, which use tougher tests.

Buying a CW today

The right car depends on the engine. No large independent reliability survey covers this generation, so the advice below is about matching a version to your needs rather than failure statistics.

• Towing and long trips: a 2.2 DI-D or the later 2.3 DI-D with a manual gearbox and all-wheel drive.
• Automatic: either the 2.4 petrol with the CVT, or a 2010-on 2.2 DI-D with the TC-SST dual-clutch; ask for proof of gearbox servicing.
• Lowest running complexity: the 2.0 MIVEC petrol of 2010–2012, though it is front-drive only.
• Seven seats: check that the third row is fitted; not every car has it, and in Australia, for example, the VRX was a five-seater.
• Peugeot 4007 or Citroën C-Crosser: mechanically the same as a PSA-engined Outlander, so parts and checks are similar.

On any diesel, look for a full service history and signs that the car has had regular longer runs. Smaller alternatives from the same maker include the Mitsubishi ASX, while the ladder-frame Pajero and Pajero Sport suit heavier off-road work. The wider Mitsubishi range and the story of Mitsubishi Motors give more context.